Fire extinguisher



Oct. 15, 1957 F. w. VAN DER LAAN FIRE-EXTINGUISHER Filed July 26, 1954 JNVENTOR: 3O F KKE W!LHELMUS VAN DB2 LAAN,

H/S AGENT? United States Patent Office 2,809,700 Patented Oct. 15, 1957 FIRE EXTINGUISHER Fokke Wilhelmus van der Laan, Breda, Neflierlands Application July 26, 1954, Serial No. 445,773

7 Claims. (Cl. 16932) -The invention relates to fire extinguishing apparatus, and relates more particularly to fire extinguishing apparatus of the type in which a vessel holds fluid, such as water, and receives on its interior an exchangeable breakable cartridge containing a foaming agent.

Fire extinguishers of this type now in use have the disadvantage that they will not operate in all positions; they are also characterized by unwieldiness and hence diificulty in transportation.

The instant invention has among its objects to avoid the difiiculties of the prior art, and to provide a fire extinguisher that can easily be moved from place to place and that may be operated in all positions in space. It is among the further objects of the invention to provide a fire extinguisher with a flat circular receptacle that may be rolled like a wheel for transportation and that may be operated in any position to which it is wheeled.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, one embodiment of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a fire extinguishing apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof, but on a smaller scale.

The fire extinguishing apparatus comprises a flat round tank structure of toroid shape for the holding of fluid, such as for instance Water, the level of which is designated V. The tank defines on its interior a toroid chamber 1, and includes two closure discs 2 and 3 that are connected along their flattened edge portions 29, such as by riveting. The edge portions abut against each other along a central plane that divides the chamber 1. This central dividing plane constitutes for each of the discs 2 and 3 the top when each disc is separately placed on the ground with its open top upwardly. Each of the discs 2 and 3 has near the edge portion an annular portion that is depressed relative to that top plane downwardly when the disc is placed on the ground separately, and outwardly in point of the dividing plane when the discs are assembled to form the tank. Each of the discs furthermore has a raised central part designated '7 for the disc 2, and 6 for the disc 3. Each of the central parts 6 and 7 is disposed above the lowermost point of the discharge portion, and below said top plane for each disc when the discs are separate; when the discs 2 and 3 are assembled, the central part of each disc is disposed inwardly of the outermost disc point and outwardly of the dividing plane.

The central parts 6 and 7 for the support for an elongated discharge nozzle 4. A bearing is connected to each of the central parts 6 and 7 and these hearings are aligned, and the discharge nozzle 4 is borne in these hearings in such a manner that it is revoluble about the central axis of the toroidal tank and also reciprocably slidable along that axis longitudinally of the nozzle 4.

A cartridge holder 5 is formed in the tank at a distance of the nozzle 4, though parallel thereto, and includes two opposite hollow cylinder parts, namely a cylinder part 8 that is connected to the disc 3, and a cylinder part 9 that is connected to the disc 2. The cylinder part 9 is closed by a removable cover 10, to afford access to the interior of the cartridge holder 5 from the outside of the tank, for the exchange of cartridges 12. Cushions 13 and 14 are provided in the cartridge holder 5, to support the cartridge 12 free from any danger of impact damage during transport. The cylinder parts 8 and 9 terminates inside the chamber 1 at a distance from each other on opposite sides of the central dividing plane of the chamber 1, and define therebetween a space for the path of an impact tool to break at will the cartridge 12. The cartridge 12 has a breakable container, for instance made of glass, and has on its interior a foaming agent. When the cartridge 12 is broken in the chamber 1, the foaming agent will mix with the fluid in the chamber 1.

To the nozzle 4 there is integrally connected a tube 15 that communicates interiorly with a nozzle chamber 16 that is formed on the inside of the nozzle 4. The tube 15 carries on its free end a flexible heading with two intake or suction openings 18. When the top 15 is free to turn about the axis of the tank, the openings 18, owing to gravity, will be positioned in the deepest part of the chamber 1. In this manner, the openings 18 will be immersed in the water in all positions of the tank, after the nozzle 4, and thereby the tube 15, has been released for free rotation about the axis of the tank. When the cartridge 12 has been broken and the foaming agent been mixed with the water, the mixture will ascend through the tube 15 into the chamber 16 of the nozzle.

Adjacent the chamber 16, there is formed on the interior of the nozzle a conduit 17 which intercommunicates with the chamber 16 and with the atmosphere on the outside of the tank, after the piercing of a foil 20 that is normally held in closure position in front of the conduit 17 and is maintained in position by a holder 19.

Normally, the nozzle 4 is held immovable against rotation, and against longitudinal displacement.

Means are provided for displacing the nozzle 4 in one direction axially of the tank (from left to right, Fig. 1), and to make the nozzle 4 and therewith the tube 15 rotatable freely about the central axis of the tank and also rotatable by manual actuation, upon completion of such axial displacement. This means includes a toothed cam 21 that is secured to the nozzle and a shaft 22 that is secured to the cam 21. The shaft 22 protrudes to the exterior of the tank, and a handle 23 is connected on the exterior to the free end of the shaft 22.

The nozzle 4, the tube 15, the cam 21, the shaft 22, and the handle 23 form one unit that may be displaced together along the axis of the tank, as well as rotated together after the axial displacement. There is also provided a toothed ring 24 that is fixed in the bearing of the central part 6, and which is neither displaceable nor rotatable. The ring 24 is disposed adjacent the normal position of the cam 21, with the teeth of the cam 21 and of the ring 24 interengaged. The shaft 22 protrudes through the aperture of the ring 24.

To the tube 15 there is attached an impact tool, such as a knife 11, so that when the tube 15 is free for rotation and is being rotated by means of turning of the handle 23, the tube 15 may be swung in such a manner that the knife 11 will break the cartridge 12.

In the cam 21 there are disposed for radial movement resilient pins 25 and 26, so that when the nozzle 4 has been displaced axially (towards the right in Fig. l), the

pins 25 and 26 will engage a groove 27 that is formed in the bearing of the central part 6,'thereby preventing axial displacement in the opposite direction (to the left in Fig.1). s

A tire 30 is connected to the edge portions 29, to enable rolling of the tanklike 'a wheel. To the disc 3 there is connected, for instance by welding, a ring 31 to facilitate handlingofthe. tank. Suspension devices 32 may be provided (Fig. 2) with apertures 32, to facilitate suspension of the tank from a hook on a building wall.

The operation of the fire extinguisher is as follows.

The operator will fill the tank with water, approximately to the level V indicated, and will replace the previously broken cartridge 12 with a new one that is filled wit ha foaming agent, and then will close the cover 10. The'apparatus is now ready for use and may be stored, for instance be hung from a wall'with one of the suspension devices 33. The nozzle 4 is preferably turned towards the wall, with a new foil 20 closing the nozzle 4. The tube 15 maybe in the position shown in Fig. 2, with the suction openings 18 disposed above the level V. The position of the tube 15 'is indicated on the exterior by the position of the handle 23, which isalways parallel to the tube 15. The handle 23 may be blocked in that position of rest by means of a seal, for instance a seal of lead.

In this position, the handle 23 cannot be turned to the left (counterclockwise, Fig. 2), because the interengaged teeth of the fixed ring 24 and of the cam 21 will prevent such a movement by the'cam 21, and thus the handle 23 will be blocked from turning in that direction. Therefore, in this position, the cartridge 12 is safe from any impact by the knife 11.

To operate the extinguisher, the operator will turn the handle 23 to the right (clockwise, Fig. 2). By this rotation, the engagement of the teeth of the fixed ring 24 and of the cam 21 will cause an axial displacement of the entire unit that is composed of the nozzle 4 including the tube 15, the shaft 22, and the handle 23. The axial displacement is in direction towards the foil (to the right in respect of Fig. 1). By this axial displacement, the front part of the nozzle 4 will pierce the foil 20, and the pins 25 and 26 will'enter into the groove 27. In this position, the entire unit is freely rotatable about the central axis of the tank, as the teeth of the cam 21 are disengaged from the teeth of the fixed ring 24, and the pins 25 and 26 will prevent return displacement. The nozzle 4 together with the tube 15 are rotatable freely in this position and, as the cam 21, the shaft 22, and the handle 23 are secured thereto, the nozzle 4 may also be rotated by manual turning of the handle 23.

In this position, the conduit 17 is connected to the outer atmosphere, and thereby the interiors of the tube 15 and of the chamber 16 are directly connected with the outside of the tank.

In this position, the operator will rapidly move the handle 23 to the left (counterclockwise, Fig. 2) whereby the knife 11 that is connected to the tube 15 will break the cartridge 12 by impact. The operator will then release the handle 23 and, under the force of gravity, the tube 15 together with the head that has the suction openings 18 will be plunged into the liquid which now contains a mixture of water and of the foaming agent that has been spilled from the broken cartridge 12. The liquid will ascend through the tube 15 and be ejected from the conduit 17 to the exterior. On whatever position of wheeling the tank may momentarily be, the suction openings 18 will always be immersed in the liquid as long as there is substantially any liquid in the tank, and the liquid will be expelled centrally of the tank.

- Certain of the advantages of the invention have already been herein referred to.

It may be useful, however, to allude particularly at this point to the advantage that the cartridge may be broken only, and thus the apparatus function be commenced only, after the foil 20 has been pierced. Conversely, the liquid will not be released before this exit for it has been cleared.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A lire extinguishing apparatus, comprising in combination, a Hat round fluid holding toroid shaped tank including two discs interconnected near their edges, said edge of each disc forming the topmost plane of one disc and the lowermost plane of the other disc, each disc having near its edge an annular portion depressed relative to said plane and a central portion joined to said annular portion and disposedabove the lowermost point thereof and below said plane, a discharge nozzle member connected to said raised portions, said raised portions including means journalling said discharge nozzle member about said axis, said discharge nozzle member extending in an axial direction centrally of said disc and being revoluble about said axis, a holder for a foaming agent cartridge positioned in said tank parallel to said nozzle and spaced therefrom radially and extending between said depressed portions of said discs and projecting to the exterior thereby being accessible from the exterior for cartridge replacement, and operating means on the inteiior of said tank secured to and revoluble with said nozzle and movable in an arcuate path intersecting the position of the cartridge emplaced in said holder and thereby actuatable for breaking said cartridge and dischargingsaid fluid through said nozzle.

2. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said journalling means guide said discharge nozzle for axial reciprocation, whereby the discharge nozzle is slidable axially of the tank axis and said operating means including a connecting tube for the transport of the extinguishing liquid, which connecting tube forms at the same time a striking member for smashing the cartridge.

3. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that the connecting tube has at the end opposite to the discharge nozzle a heading, with at least at both sides hollow protrusions, which reach into the annular space, said striking member including an instrument attached to the connecting tube for smashing the cartridge.

4. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 3,

characterized in that the discharge nozzle has an extension which extends outwards, an operating handle attached to said extension, the position of said handle corresponding with that of the connecting tube, which lies inside the tank. 7

5. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating means includes a movable striking member, and the cartridge holder is formed by tube parts, which are co-axial with respect to each other and which are connected to the annular recessed parts of the opposite discs, which tube parts have such a length that between these parts remains a space for the passage of the striking member.

6. Fire extinguishing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a tire has been arranged around the disc edges.

7. In a fire extinguishing apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, together with, said journalling means including bearings connected to said raised portions journalling said discharge nozzle member for said rotational and for axial movements of the tank axis, said operating means comprising a handle connected to one of said raised portions and operable from the exterior, cam and cam fol lower means between said nozzle member and said handle for axial movement of said nozzle member when said 5 handle is turned in one direction and, respectively, for rotation with said handle when the latter is turned in the opposite direction, the nozzle member having a discharge outlet opposite relative to said cam and cam follower, a pierceable element connected to the opposite raised portion and juxtaposed relative to said outlet, said nozzle member having adjacent said outlet piercing means References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Byerly Mar. 27, 1928 Van Ness May 10, 1932 

